May 15, Colombo: The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL) today vehemently condemned anyone blaspheming any religion or faith and urged the authorities to take action against blasphemers.

Issuing a media statement, the Council noted that recently many Buddhist monks have blasphemed Islam while one Muslim identified as Razeek has blasphemed Lord Buddha and Buddhism in a You Tube video in June 2013.

"We once again condemn these acts of religious sacrilege without any reservation and call upon the authorities to take action against anyone infringing on the rights of religious, ethnic or civic groups," the MCSL said in the statement.

The statement said Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance and does not permit any Muslim to blaspheme any religion.

"Sri Lankans have had mutual respect, tolerance and understanding of each otherís religions and cultural practices for hundreds of years."

The Council observed that lately, religious groups targeting each other with unsubstantiated charges that have exasperated its long standing commitment towards co-existence.

The Muslim body called for the authorities to arrest the "disturbing trend" immediately and reestablish the status quo.

"We call upon the Government and law enforcement authorities to enforce the law without prejudice and fear or favour to any religion or authority," the MCSL said.